Cavendish Restaurant at Chatsworth in Derbyshire Dales

The Cavendish takes its name from the illustrious family that has occupied Chatsworth. It's located in the former stables--there were a lot of horses back in the day! I thought my arancini appetizer was delicious even though the tomato sauce was not made with fresh tomatoes. I was disillusioned when I saw the same arancini at the Farm Shop deli. The vegetable garniture for the lamb had been sautéed too much and had a charred taste. Parboiling and a quick sauté in butter or olive oil would have been better. While service was up to par for such elegant surroundings it could be improved by more attention to detail such as uncorking the water decanter, moving the sugar bowl within reach of the guest, and never leaving the reception area unattended at any time. Actually I got the impression that they were understaffed. I couldn't see the rest of the dining room and perhaps they were swamped. That would explain things. I assume Chatsworth will not find these comments too fussy as the follow up visit questionnaire is quite long and detailed.

A wonderful dining experience at The Cavendish on a Saturday Lunchtime. All three of us thoroughly enjoyed the Three Course Set Menu - every dish was fantastically well prepared and well presented, with a great flavour palette in each dish. The waiting staff were very friendly, polite and attentive, and really contributed to the ambience and environment of a Rosette standard meal.

My daughter and I treated ourselves to lunch here following our visit to Chatsworth House & the Gardens and the service was excellent. The food was very good too.

We spent the day in the Chatsworth House gardens to celebrate our daughter's birthday. We had lunch at the Cavendish Restaurant. It was an extremely pleasant experience. The food was absolutely brilliant. Service was first class. We were assisted by Adam. He was extremely polite, well spoken and efficient. The restaurant was clean. The atmosphere was very calming. We all had a great time. Our daughter said she had a memorable time. I have no hesitation in recommending the restaurant.

I stopped to eat lunch here after touring the house, before going through the gardens, and I'm so glad I did. I opted for the 3-course lunch, and though I felt like having a nap afterwards, I definitely knew it would serve me well on the long walks I had ahead of me. The atmosphere was elevated but accessible, just as it should be at a tourist site that attracts a wide range of visitors. They knew the assignment when it came to the music as well, all your favorite romantic movie soundtrack scores. The food and service was the real highlight. My server, Petra, was so kind. The delivery of my food was well-paced. I can highly recommend the trifle and prawn cocktail. (Though "prawn" in the UK are just shrimp in the U.S., so don't order thinking you're getting the big guys). But, the highlight was the Sea Bass on chickpeas. The flavors were so well-balanced against a mild fish and the textures were balanced as well. What a pleasant surprise and not what inwould expect at a tourist attraction.

Our restaurant experience ruined what was going to be a lovely day (celebrating our wedding anniversary). The lady serving us was being very judgmental & patronising of us ordering one afternoon tea to share between the two of us. Tried to put us off ordering 1 afternoon tea , like desperately tried probs so the company can gain more money 💰 I feel like when you order an item from the menu, you are paying for that item, not for how many of you are eating it. She spoke down to me & my husband - one of us/both of us could have had an eating disorder/body dysmorphia/recovering from obesity/on medication/mental health struggles. I feel like if this was said to the wrong person it could have adverse effects. Also the quantity of food for just under £50 was appalling... I feel like there was more quantity of food in the £3.50 ice cream cone we got after. The ice cream definitely left us feeling more full. Again, I understand it was made for 1 person, but honestly it wasn’t even enough for one person. We wouldn’t have been that bothered if the service wasn’t so terrible. I mentioned this to the manger who said he would mention it to the waitress… never got an apology or even how was your experience not even a goodbye. Not that we were expecting this but the level of respect and service was at an all time low. I’m not one to complain but this personally really ruined my day. 10/10 would NEVER recommend the afternoon tea 😂 And one last thing - they bring the afternoon tea dishes out 1 at a time with about (what felt like) 5-10mins waiting in between 💀

My son and daughter-in-law treated me to a visit to Chatsworth House, followed by Afternoon Tea at The Cavendish for my birthday - both were fabulous, and I thoroughly enjoyed both experiences. The Cavendish Restaurant is gorgeously decorated, the food was delicious, and service was excellent. I had the vegetarian option, and was really impressed with the quality and flavours. My son and daughter-in-law also enjoyed their non vegetarian afternoon tea. There was plenty of food, in fact there was so much we ended up taking some home with us. Wonderful dining experience and I would highly recommend booking here.

Came to the long queu for super delicious ice cream. I got the Bakewell tart flavour which is died for. However, service was very slow, short of staffs for a bank holiday weekend.

A very special place to go. We went for afternoon tea and were treated like royalty. The food was very good - possibly not quite enough for a big appetite, but more than enough for us. We loved the crockery and cutlery, which were very colourful

Reserved an outdoor table as I was in a wheelchair and had two small dogs, was informed by phone on the way to Chatsworth that afternoon tea cannot be served outdoors as it is served on wedgewood crockery which they wont use outdoors. We decided to keep the reservation and have the regular lunch, which they WILL serve outdoors. As we approached the counter to be seated, the person behind the desk was on the phone, looked at us and turned her back on us - eventually a server came to seat us - not the best customer service. We asked if they would serve us the afternoon tea on normal plates which they wouldn’t - but informed us it was because there would be “wasps and flies” attracted by the jam?! A different server came out and told us it was due to the first reason given (wedgewood). The three course lunch was nice apart from the vegan dessert - a rock hard pineapple finger and a scoop of sorbet. It was very difficult to even cut through and contained some of the tough outer part of the pineapple. This was generously taken off the bill, although when I sent it back I wasn’t offered an alternative, replacement or informed about what was going on, it was just removed from the table and the bill was brought soon after. I think a wise thing to do would be to have the vegan desserts (at least one) that are advertised with the afternoon tea - as options for the general menu - which sound really good - because no vegan / or anybody wants a single “poached” pineapple finger at that price point (or at all). I bet the crumble could be so easily veganised too with minimum prep. Service overall felt a bit clumsy / food was ok. Gnocchi was 10/10 Not sure if the outdoor ban on afternoon tea is stated on the website, if so that’s my fault - if not, add it! (I’m just moaning because nowhere does vegan afternoon tea and I was excited).

I ordered the chicken, was absolutely beautiful and the black forest was also delicious. Our servers were very sweet and bathrooms were clean. Relatively pricy but that’s expected.

Combined a visit to Chatsworth House with afternoon tea, as it was my Mum's birthday. Really great selection of food and we loved the extra courses that we haven't come across in other afternoon teas. So much food, brought the leftovers home!

Wonderful food, staff and ambience. Highly recommended.

This was our 10th year at Christmas for Afternoon Tea, as always we were made to feel very special. Highly recommended.

Lovely afternoon tea to complement Chatsworth Christmas markets

Went for afternoon tea. Food and waiting staff excellent. All in all, it's a perfect afternoon. Not cheap at £49 per person, but as a special treat, it was wonderful. I will certainly visit again.

Went for a treat on our 50th anniversary and what a fabulous afternoon the staff are brilliant and made you feel so welcome

Was a lovely 2 course lunch on Wednesday, everything cooked to perfection, the service was excellent.

£16 for two bottles of peroni with plastic cups sat on dirty metal tables outside ,avoid 🤨

Visited for lunch today to celebrate a birthday. The friendly and helpful staff were lovely and the food was faultless. It was beautifully cooked and full of flavour. One of the nicest meals I've had in a while. We were there for two and a half hours and never felt rushed. It was a truly enjoyable experience that we will repeat soon! Thank you!

Fantastic lunch with friends. High quality delicious food with great service. Highly recommended.

Had a brilliant lunch here today! Salmon mousse to start, perfectly pink duck breast with the best fondant potato I've ever tasted, then dark chocolate and blood orange tart. All highly delicious! The staff are warm, welcoming and friendly. Fantastic all around.

I dined at The Cavendish with my wife, our daughter and her boyfriend. Stunning restaurant great service and the food was first class, 3 courses with coffee and petit fours. I had the salmon starter followed by duck breast and then blood orange and chocolate tart. Others had the amazing pork chop. Wine was reasonably priced for location . A great meal with nice attentive service. Looking forward to dining here again. Thank you.

We were served by Kath for afternoon tea and she was very nice. The atmosphere was a little off as the afternoon tea experience was mixed with the restaurant/ lunch buyers meaning it was a bit different. The food was ok, however I think it should be presented better. For £300 pounds for 6 it was too much money for an ok experience

Beautiful surroundings Beautiful food and beautiful service ❤️

I’d bought afternoon tea vouchers and thought I’d booked us in, but obviously I must’ve completed the booking. It was part of a surprise 21st gift for my daughter, I was quite stressed, but the staff were so wonderful they managed to fit us in and looked after us so well. I would highly recommend it for the service alone. The food was also incredible, they even did a special 21st plate for my daughter. A memorable experience for all the right reasons.

Excellent Afternoon tea . Service 1st class very pleasant atmosphere.

Dinner at The Cavendish is almost as ennobling as with the Cavendish. Charming service, atmospheric decor and delicious food. I recommend especially the Ox Cheeks.

Lovely afternoon tea. A present so not putting cost

A very nicely set restaurant - we came for Mother’s Day afternoon tea and the staff were extremely accommodating with our wheelchair user in the group. The food is very generous and we were blown away by how full we were getting half way through the meal! Highly recommended!

Was lovely, only downside is the tea is served in large quantities preventing you from sampling much of their offerings available in the set menu choice.

Chatsworth house has so much to offer food, views kids friendly too

Wonderful place to recharge after a day in the gardens at Chatsworth. Courteous and friendly service, great food and a distinct feeling that "the extra mile" is normal fare for the people working there. Well worth a visit.

Delicious sea bass, great service, and pleasant ambience. Wonderful wine, coffee and puddings. Not sure anyone in charge of the restaurant read's this, but a couple of comments: if these were sorted out this restaurant could be 5star. 1. Why add salt to a side order of green garden vegetables? - can't we do that. 2. Fennel starter chewy and totally undercooked - nice marinade but needed more attention from the chef. 3. Background rock festival style music (poor speakers so could only hear the top end anyway) blaring out from the kitchen area unsuitable for a 2.30pm higher end 3x course meal - is it needed? It is thoughtless, in bad taste and spoils the spirit of the place trying to sell to a higher end market. Really enjoyed the meal overall though, but wanted to mention these points as I genuinely believe this place has the potential to be really top notch.

Such a beautiful and classy restaurant. All the staff's we came across were very kind and professional. We came here for late lunch. The food was amazing, I got the ham hock terrine it was my first time having this and oh my goodness I love it, the flavour and texture was yummy! We got the sea-bass too and that was amazing!

Had lunch there before heading into Chatsworth. Food was decent and the services were attentive. The prawn linguine was delicious but would like the pasta more al dente. Overall lovely dish. Love their tea sets too.